Following a competitive, five-way race last night, third-year College student Maha Abejuela emerged the newly elected president of the Asian Student Union.
Abejuela said she has many goals for the ASU, particularly to advocate an Asian-American studies program at the University. Ryan McCarthy, current president and third-year College student, made it a focus of his term to bring an Asian-American studies program to the University. College Dean Edward L. Ayers has said the program will begin once funding for a program director is secured.
Abejuela's goals also included establishing a multicultural center within the proposed new student center. She also said she envisions the organization taking continued political strides.
"I hope to get more visibility within the University community as a whole," Abejuela said. This can be achieved by "getting members involved in non-Asian organizations."
She added that she plans to strengthen ties among the various Asian-American organizations by sending ASU officers to other group meetings.
"If we show support for them, they'll show support for us," she said.
In addition to building stronger relationships, Abejuela said she hopes to build a sense of coherence within the ASU, which she thinks has been a problem in the past. She added that she perceives the social divide between South Asians and the larger Asian-American community as one of the ASU's principle challenges.
"This has to be remedied because we all share common goals," she said. "I will encourage all Asian-Pacific American organizations to support each other."
In response to criticism that ethnic organizations promote self-segregation, Abejuela said she believes the ASU actually increases interaction among students of different backgrounds.
"In order for people to escape racism, they need to be comfortable with their identity," she said.
Cultural organizations, such as the ASU, cultivate this self-awareness to "encourage individuals to get involved with other activities," she added.
There are numerous organizations on Grounds that cater to more specific ethnic groups. Such groups include the Chinese Student Association, Hong Kong Students Association, Indian Student Assocition, Japanese Club, Korean Student Association and Vietnamese Students Association.
Last night's election also filled three other offices.
Second-year College student Vivek Taneja will serve as vice-president, first-year College student Natalie Powell as secretary, and first-year College student Jehan Mondal as treasurer.
All of the officers said they look forward to the ASU assuming a more active, public role.
"I want the local Charlottesville community to feel the ASU's presence," Taneja said.
Powell said her priority is to "relay goals of the ASU to the student body, both Asian and non-Asian."
"We can invite non-Asians to get involved," Mondal said. "I feel that although self-segregation is an issue, we can overcome it."
Officers of the 2002-2003 ASU executive board will officially assume their new positions April 1.
The election was held last night in Maury Hall Auditorium beginning at 7 p.m. and lasted more than four hours.
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